We help bright students from poor families finish SAS high school with financial aid. We solicit the public for donations to fund our financial aid program.

“I believed Cha…

“I believed Charity began and stayed at home, until a complete stranger helped me and my family get unstuck from a freeway exit ramp because our car had blown a tire, ran out of gas and was disabled…”

Especially for a minority immigrant like me and my family, the early sixties in the Southland were precarious days to be traveling on the road – to put it mildly. Serving in the Navy I was moving my family from Sanford to Jacksonville on a permanent change of duty station orders.

It rained sheets during the drive that day reducing visibility down to a couple of feet. Hesitantly, I parked my old Chevy off to the side of the road. I figured at least I, my wife and baby would be safe since we’re not moving. But we weren’t to be spared. A small pick up truck grazed our rear end, jolting us a bit but not too roughly. It was a hit and run. The pick up truck quickly disappeared into the mist.

We waited an hour more for the rain to subside then resumed our trip. It never occurred to me to inspect the car for possible damage before moving on. Coming closer to Jacksonville we entered the exit to Cecil Field. While in the curve the car blew a tire careening into the guardrail. I had no time to panic; the car was slowing down. It was out of gas. The hit and run punctured our gas tank. The gas spilled as we drove along. There were no phones.

To get help we waited for a highway patrol officer to come by. There were no such police vehicles on the road. In the quickly darkening twilight a pick up truck pulled up behind us. The gentleman driver hopped out from the cab, extended his hand to shake mine. Grinning he said in a deep Southern drawl, “Howdy! Ya’ll need some help?”

To make a long story short the gentleman took care of all our needs, getting a tow truck to tow our disabled car to the nearest shop, driving us to Cecil Field to check in at Navy Housing, and buying us a hot meal at the local A & W. After he was satisfied we would be okay, he bade us farewell. “If you’re ever in the Lone Star State, look me up in the phone book. The name’s Billy Bob Berenson.”

Like this:

Related

Post navigation

Thank you for your tax deductible donation. Donations go to the school fund. Officers, staff, members of the board of trustees are all volunteers. 100% of all students who participate in the program graduate; over 33% of them graduate in the honor roll.

$25.00

DONATIONS to the School Fund from our friends in CANADA

Please donate to the school fund to help bright kids from poor families finish SAS high school with financial aid. St Augustine School Alumni International is a non-profit organization recognized by the the IRS under the 501(c)(3) tax code. All donations are tax deductible.

Contact Us

We are open for business 24/7. Call us if you encounter any problem with the credit card portal or if you have any questions.

DONORS Comments

"It makes me feel good inside to help these bright kids finish high school. I don't have much but that's okay. The important thing is that we should all give something back." from Dr Ernesto Lardizabal, DVM (Ret), San Francisco, California

"I think it's easy to forget those who are less fortunate because we get caught up in so many things in addition to our jobs. But remembering our beginnings brings us back to reality so we help." from Descha Uy Candido, Livorno, Italy

"So sorry I can only give $5 a month. I hope you will forgive me because I don't make much money in my 2 jobs. But I want to help these kids finish high school because we have to help Tagudinians and batchmate Augustinians." from Isidro Buenafe, Lincoln, Nebraska

JOIN Us

Go to the SAS Ai WIKI website http://sastagudin.wikifoundry.com and SIGN UP. Register and be part of the SAS Alumni International community.